Image forming apparatus and storage device

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a storage portion, a first electrode, a second electrode, a measuring unit, a detected portion, an image forming unit, and a controller. The storage portion stores a recording material. The measuring unit measures a change of capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. The detected portion is located inside the storage portion and is capable of moving so that at least one of a distance to the first electrode and a distance to the second electrode changes. The image forming unit forms an image with the recording material. The controller controls supplying of the recording material to the storage portion in response to the change of the capacitance measured by the measuring unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a storage portion configured to store a recording material; 
 a first electrode located outside the storage portion; 
 a second electrode located outside the storage portion and located at a predetermined distance from the first electrode; 
 a measuring component configured to measure a change of capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode; 
 a detected dielectric located inside the storage portion and configured to move so that at least one of a distance to the first electrode and a distance to the second electrode changes; 
 an image forming component configured to form an image with the recording material; and 
 a controller configured to control supplying of the recording material to the storage portion in response to the change of the capacitance measured by the measuring component. 
 
     
     
       2. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the detected dielectric moves to go out of the recording material in the storage portion or go into the recording material in the storage portion. 
 
     
     
       3. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a change amount of the capacitance varies depending on an amount of the recording material between the detected dielectric and the first electrode. 
 
     
     
       4. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein, if an amount of the recording material between the detected dielectric and the first electrode is large, a change amount of the capacitance is large, and if an amount of the recording material between the detected dielectric and the first electrode is small, the change amount of the capacitance is small. 
 
     
     
       5. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a holding portion configured to hold the recording material supplied to the storage portion, 
 wherein, if a change amount of the capacitance due to movement of the detected dielectric is less than a threshold value, the controller supplies the recording material from the holding portion to the storage portion. 
 
     
     
       6. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first rotation component configured to rotate the detected dielectric so that the distance to the first electrode and the distance to the second electrode change; and 
 a second rotation component located below the first rotation component and configured to stir the recording material in the storage portion. 
 
     
     
       7. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein a weight of a rotation body including the rotation component and the detected dielectric is balanced. 
 
     
     
       8. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the recording material comprises a toner. 
 
     
     
       9. A storage device, comprising:
 a storage portion configured to store a recording material; 
 a first electrode located outside the storage portion; 
 a second electrode located outside the storage portion and located at a predetermined distance from the first electrode; and 
 a detected dielectric located inside the storage portion and configured to move so that at least one of a distance to the first electrode and a distance to the second electrode changes. 
 
     
     
       10. The storage device according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the detected dielectric moves to go out of the recording material in the storage portion or go into the recording material in the storage portion. 
 
     
     
       11. The storage device according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first rotation component configured to rotate the detected dielectric so that the distance to the first electrode and the distance to the second electrode change; and 
 a second rotation component located below the first rotation component and configured to stir the recording medium in the storage portion. 
 
     
     
       12. The storage device according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein a weight of a rotation body including the rotation component and the detected dielectric is balanced. 
 
     
     
       13. The storage device according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the recording material comprises a toner. 
 
     
     
       14. A toner handling method, comprising:
 measuring a change of capacitance between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are located outside of a storage portion storing a recording medium and are spaced a predetermined distance apart; 
 moving a detected dielectric located inside the storage portion so that at least one of a distance to the first electrode and a distance to the second electrode changes; and 
 controlling a supply of the recording material to the storage portion in response to the change of the capacitance measured. 
 
     
     
       15. The toner handling method according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein a change amount of the capacitance varies depending on an amount of the recording material between the detected dielectric and the first electrode. 
 
     
     
       16. The toner handling method according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein, if an amount of the recording material between the detected dielectric and the first electrode is large, a change amount of the capacitance is large, and if an amount of the recording material between the detected dielectric and the first electrode is small, the change amount of the capacitance is small. 
 
     
     
       17. The toner handling method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 holding the recording material supplied to the storage portion; and 
 if a change amount of the capacitance due to movement of the detected dielectric is less than a threshold value, supplying the recording material from the holding portion to the storage portion. 
 
     
     
       18. The toner handling method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 rotating the detected dielectric so that the distance to the first electrode and the distance to the second electrode change.